I just got a LNIB 686-3. After cleaning it and polishing it, the gun looks so pretty with the stock wood grips on it. I have a set pf pachmayers from another gun I had, but I really don't want to spoil the beauty of such a classic gun with rubber. I know there are other wood grips out there, but I really like the looks of a square butt target grips with the S&W medalions. Anyone ver shoot .357's out of a 686 ( or 586) withe the stock grips? Are they comfortable? I hope to shoot it next week.

I have used Factory Target stocks on K and N frame revolvers for years in both 357 Mag and 44 mag and I like them.
Grips are a "user preference" and you need to try them out for yourself and be comfortable.
I also keep rubber Pachmayr grips in my shooting case for extended Range time or when a have a Guest with me.

Experiment with different grips and you'll find what works best for you.

I've kept the factory grips on most of my '86s and only my 681 has pachmayers. Again, good suggestion is to shoot it liberally and see how they fit you.

I have found that personally my hands feel better using the factory targets for .357 Mag loads out of my 686, I have found that the Hogue rubber grips cause my hands to start cramping even after a few .38 specials and .357 mags are almost unbearable with the hogue rubber grips. However my 586 has Hogue wood grips and they are still comfortable shooting .357 mags, I don't know what it is but I can't stand the hogue rubber grips, oh well I think they are ugly anyway!

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Drew

I do not mind shooting my Smith revolvers with the factory Target grips on them but, FOR ME, there is no more comfortable grip for extended range sessions than the Pachmayr Presentation grips. I have sets for all my frame variations and use them on my Colts too.

Just shoot it and see if it is comfortable for you with the factory grips. I doubt you could shoot it enough to damage the factory grips if all you do is shoot it with them and not carry with them but, that is another consideration for me about my grips. I do not want to damage my original grips.

I like shooting my 686 with factory presentation grips (smooth targets) and it really feels good.

I like the look of factory targets on my .357s (a 686, a 66, and a 27), but they are a no-go when it comes to shooting magnum rounds. They cause the top of the grip and grip frame to dig into my shooting hand, just at the base of the thumb, causing pain and bruising if I keep shooting.

Pachmayer Presentations, on the other hand, work great for me, I can shoot them without any discomfort. But, they're not exactly beauty contest winners, are they?

The best setup for me is Kurac's coke style grips. They're gorgeous and fit my hand as if they were made for it. I have them on my 27, and am planning to order an additional set for my 66. They work just fine with 158 gr. magnums. They're not 100% perfect with 125 gr. rounds but I don't shoot that weight very often.

I'll second stevieboy's sentiment: they look good, but they don't work for me. Me, I go with a set of Ahrends Tactical grips (for all of my S&W revolvers including two 686s, save for a 10-6 that looks funny with a big, target grip, and a j-frame 642), which are narrower up top and direct the recoil into the soft, meaty part of my hand (rather than the hard, bony part).

(686-5+ in the middle):

the factory checkered target grips shoot fine for me...and look great i also have factory hogue's on some,wooden finger groove combats on others,JM grips and the like...all fit me fine i am glad i have the rubber hogues on the 500 mag.they really help

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SWCA#2208
KK4EMO